Zags rally for 13-Inning win at WSU

PULLMAN, Wash. — Gonzaga baseball erased a 2-0 deficit and collected a 13-inning win to take the season series over Washington State on Tuesday night in Pullman, Wash.

After threatening in the 11th and 12th and pitching around trouble, the Zags struck in the 13th in an unlikely way. Jack Machtolf walked, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, moved to third on a wild pitch and came home on a balk by WSU pitcher Michael Newstrom.

“That’s a huge series win over a regional rival,” head coach Mark Machtolf said. “We got some great work from the bullpen, [Calvin] LeBrun and [Matthew] Henckel made some huge pressure pitches late in the game. Jack Machtolf and Nick Nyquist both had big contributions off the bench. We’ll have a happy bus ride home and quickly shift our focus to Santa Clara this weekend.”

The Zags pounded out 16 hits and drew seven walks, but left 18 runners on base. The bullpen put together a fantastic performance however, pitching the final 10.1 innings and allowing just two runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts. Matthew Henckel got the win after pitching the final 3.0 innings.

Freshman Michael Spellacy got the start for the Zags and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, before giving way to Trent Schulte. He was touched up for WSU’s two runs, but pitched 2.0 innings of relief. Taylor Davis entered and threw 2.1 scoreless innings before giving way to Calvin LeBrun, who pitched his way through the next 3.0 innings.

Gonzaga fell behind 2-0 after WSU scored a pair in the fourth inning off of reliever Trent Schulte, and while GU’s offense was notching out hits, they weren’t able to get the clutch hit until the eighth.

In that eighth inning, Brooks knocked home the first run with an RBI single and Vieth brought home the tying run with a single up the middle.

GU then put a runner on second with nobody out in the ninth with a double by Isaac Barrera, but WSU pitched around the threat.

Gonzaga will host its final regular season series of the year against Santa Clara, starting on Friday at 6 p.m. The Zags enter the series needing one win or an LMU loss to clinch a spot in the WCC Tournament.

Whitworth is coming off a 10-15 record in 2017-18. Griffith takes over for Higgs, who won 361 games in 24 years leading the Pirates and ranked 48th in total victories among active Division III coaches at the time of her retirement.

WSU Athletics STANFORD, Calif. – Washington State brought the tying run on deck after scoring six runs in the ninth inning but No. 3 Stanford held on for a 9-6 victory at Sunken Diamond Saturday afternoon. WSU (15-30-1, 7-18-1 Pac-12) received two-hit games from Andres Alvarez, Dillon Plew and Brody Barnum. Blake Clanton had a three-run triple as part of a six-run ninth inning for the Cougars who saw the game's final out made after Barnum singled to right field to drive ...>>

WSU Athletics STANFORD, Calif. – Washington State brought the tying run on deck after scoring six runs in the ninth inning but No. 3 Stanford held on for a 9-6 victory at Sunken Diamond Saturday afternoon. WSU (15-30-1, 7-18-1 Pac-12) received two-hit games from Andres Alvarez, Dillon Plew and Brody Barnum. Blake Clanton had a three-run triple as part of a six-run ninth inning for the Cougars who saw the game's final out made after Barnum singled to right field to drive ...>>

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By Washington State Athletics SEATTLE – Washington State split its doubleheader with Washington, claiming a 4-1 win in game one before dropping a 6-5 decision after UW scored four runs in the ninth at Husky Ballpark Sunday afternoon. Washington State dropped to 14-23 overall and 6-12 in Pac-12 play while Washington improved to 20-19 overall and 11-7 in league play. Blake Clanton homered in both games to push his season total to five while Justin Harrer homered in the ho...>>